China Visa
Last verified 2026-05-31 against Chinese Visa Application Service Center (COVA) / National Immigration AdministrationStandards: ICAO Doc 9303Government-spec dimensions, head positioning, and file constraints.
- Pixel size
- 354 × 472 px
- Print size
- 354 × 472 p ×
- Background
- white#FFFFFF
- Face height
- 70–80% · target 75%
- Eye line
- 62%–74% from bottom
- File size limit
- 120 KB
Note: Plain white background; head 70–80%; neutral expression; clear glasses allowed (no tint or glare)
Dimensions
- Output (what we generate): 354 × 472 px (3:4) — digital-only, sized for the COVA upload
- Pixel size: 354 × 472 px (minimum) up to 420 × 560 px — COVA accepts this pixel range (always 3:4). The pixel ratio does not equal the 33:48 print ratio; COVA publishes both independently (see Notes)
- Print size: 33 × 48 mm is the consular print format (11:16) for paper applications. We do not offer a print-layout tile for CN: a 3:4 digital photo can't fill an 11:16 cell without distorting the face (≈8% horizontal squish, which would push head-width out of the 15–22 mm band). Use the COVA digital upload.
- DPI: ≈ 270 DPI (width-derived)
- File format / max file size: JPEG (.jpg); 40–120 KB for the digital COVA upload
- Color mode: sRGB color only
Head position
- Head height as fraction of frame: ≈ 70%–80% (the value the cropper targets)
- COVA reference figures: head height 28–33 mm, head width 15–22 mm — measured against COVA's own reference, which differs from the chin-to-crown fraction above
- Head position: Directly facing camera; head upright, no tilt
- Shoulders: Square to camera, centred
Background
- Color: Plain white
- Requirements: No shadows, no border, no objects or other people behind the subject
Expression
- Expression must be neutral, mouth closed
- Both eyes open and clearly visible, looking at the camera
- Hair must not cover the eyes or face outline
Accessories
- Eyeglasses: Permitted only if clear — the official consulate spec states "eyeglasses are allowed except thick-rimmed, tinted or glare glasses," and the eyes must be fully visible. Removal is the safest choice to avoid glare-based rejection.
- Sunglasses / tinted lenses: Prohibited
- Head coverings: Not permitted except for religious reasons, with the full face visible
- Jewellery: Avoid large items that obscure the face
Other rules
- Photo must be taken within the last 6 months and reflect current appearance
- Color photo, even lighting, no shadows on face or background
- No digital alterations or filters
Notes
- The 33 × 48 mm size is distinct from the 35 × 45 mm ICAO portrait used by most other countries — do not substitute.
- COVA's pixel range (354 × 472 px to 420 × 560 px, all 3:4) and its print size (33 × 48 mm, 11:16) are not the same aspect ratio. China publishes the two independently and accepts the pixel range on the digital channel; the cropper outputs 354 × 472 px (the lower bound).
- The 40–120 KB digital ceiling is small; expect significant JPEG compression on the COVA upload.
Sources
What size is a Chinese visa photo?
33 × 48 mm (354 × 472 px) on a plain white background, color only. This is different from the 35 × 45 mm size used by many other countries, so do not reuse a passport-format photo.
Can I wear glasses in my Chinese visa photo?
Clear glasses are allowed, but thick-rimmed, tinted, or glare/ reflective glasses are not, and your eyes must stay fully visible. Removing glasses is the safest way to avoid a glare-based rejection. Sunglasses are never allowed.
Can I wear a head covering in the photo?
Head coverings are not permitted except for religious reasons, and then the full face must remain visible.
What file size does the COVA upload require?
The digital photo must be a JPEG between 40 KB and 120 KB, which means it is compressed fairly heavily for a 354 × 472 px image.
Can I smile in a Chinese visa photo?
No — keep a neutral expression with your mouth closed and both eyes open. The photo should be taken within the last six months.
Live validation
against the actual rulebook.
Every crop is measured against the published tolerance ranges for the selected document. Pass or warn, in real time — no "submit and hope."
The same checks the authority will run — before you submit.
- Face height & eye line measured from the pupil midpoint with sub-pixel accuracy, clamped to the tolerance range your authority publishes.
- Background colour checked across a sampled grid — catches gradients and fringe from poor segmentation (ΔE < 3 against spec).
- File-size ceiling enforced per-spec — recompressed silently for sub-60 KB e-visa portals, lossless for print.
- Sharpness & expression guards warn on blur, closed eyes, or non-neutral expressions before you export.
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